GSEB Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 1 Three Questions Solutions

Comprehension Check-I

Question 1. Why did the king want to know the answers to three questions?
Answer: The king wanted to know the answers for his three questions because he wished to be a successful ruler.
In simple words: The king wanted to find out the answers to his three questions because he wished to be a great ruler.

Exam Tip: For direct questions, always state the character's motivation clearly and concisely, focusing on their main goal.

Question 2. Messengers were sent throughout the kingdom...
(i) to fetch wise men
(ii) to find answers to the questions
(iii) to look for the wise hermit
(iv) to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions.
Answer: (iv) to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions.
In simple words: People were sent everywhere in the kingdom to tell everyone about a prize for whoever could answer the questions.

Exam Tip: In multiple-choice questions, carefully read all options to select the one that most accurately reflects the information in the text.

Comprehension Check-II

Question. Complete the following sentences by adding the appropriate parts of the sentences given in the box:
1. Many wise men answered the king's questions
2. Someone suggested that there should be a council of wise men
3. Someone else suggested that the king should have a timetable
4. The king requested the hermit
5. The king washed and dressed the bearded man's wound
but the bleeding would not stop.
to answer three questions.
but their answers were so varied that the king was not satisfied.
and follow it strictly.
to help the king act at the right time.
Answer:
1. Many wise men answered the king's questions, but their answers were so varied that the king was not satisfied.
2. Someone suggested that there should be a council of wise men to help the king act at the right time.
3. Someone else suggested that the king should have a timetable and follow it strictly.
4. The king requested the hermit to answer three questions.
5. The king washed and dressed the bearded man's wound, but the bleeding would not stop.
In simple words: You need to finish each sentence by picking the correct ending from the list provided.

Exam Tip: When matching sentence parts, read through all possible completions to ensure logical flow and grammatical correctness for each sentence.

Working With The Text

Question 1. Why was the king advised to go to magicians?
Answer: Some clever men believed that to decide the best time for doing anything, one must look into the future, and only magicians were able to do that. Therefore, they advised the king to go to the magicians.
In simple words: Wise people told the king to visit magicians because only they could see the future and tell him the right time to do things.

Exam Tip: When explaining advice given to a character, clearly state the reason behind the advice as presented in the text.

Question 2. In answer to the second question, whose advice did the people say would be important to the king?
Answer: In response to the second question, some people suggested seeking advice from councillors, the priest, the doctors, or the soldiers.
In simple words: People said the king should ask for advice from his councillors, a priest, doctors, or soldiers.

Exam Tip: Be precise in listing all suggested groups or individuals whose advice was considered important.

Question 3. What suggestions were made in answer to the third question?
Answer: For the third question, some people said science was the most important activity, while others believed it was fighting, and still others thought religious worship should come first.
In simple words: Some people said science was key, others said fighting was key, and some thought religious worship was most important.

Exam Tip: When listing multiple suggestions, use clear separators (like commas or bullet points) to distinguish each idea for better readability.

Question 4. Did the wise men win the reward? If not, why not?
Answer: No, the wise men did not win the reward because their answers were so varied from one another, and the king was not satisfied with their responses.
In simple words: No, the wise men did not get a reward because their answers were too different, and the king was not happy with them.

Exam Tip: Always provide a clear "yes" or "no" for direct questions, followed by a concise explanation that supports your answer.

Question 5. How did the king and the hermit help the wounded man?
Answer: The king washed the wounded man's wound and covered it with his handkerchief. He kept on dressing it until the bleeding stopped completely. The king also offered him water to drink. The hermit helped the king to bring the wounded man inside his hut and allowed the man to spend his night in the hut.
In simple words: The king cleaned and bandaged the man's wound, giving him water. The hermit helped bring the man inside his hut to rest.

Exam Tip: Describe all actions taken by both characters to demonstrate a complete understanding of their helpfulness.

Question 6.
(i)Who was the bearded man?
(ii)Why did he ask for the king's forgiveness?
Answer:
(i) The bearded man was an enemy of the king. The king had killed the bearded man's brother and seized his property. Thus, he was waiting for an opportunity to get revenge on the king.
(ii) The bearded man asked for the king's forgiveness because he wanted to kill the king, but the king had saved his life. He was now thankful to the king.
In simple words: The bearded man was the king's enemy because the king had taken his brother's life and property. He asked for forgiveness because the king had saved him, and he was grateful.

Exam Tip: For sub-questions, answer each part clearly and separately, linking the second part back to the first if there's a cause-and-effect relationship.

Question 7. The king forgave the bearded man. What did he do to show his forgiveness?
Answer: The king showed his forgiveness by promising the man that he would send his doctor and servants to look after him, and also pledged to give back all his property.
In simple words: The king forgave the man by promising to send doctors and servants to care for him and to give all his property back.

Exam Tip: When describing an act of forgiveness, list the specific actions taken to demonstrate it fully.

Question 8. What were the hermit's answers to the three questions? Write each answer separately. Which answer do you like most and why?
Answer: The most important time, the hermit explained, is our present because it is the only moment when we can take action. The most important person at any time is ourselves because the future is unknown, and we don't know if we will meet anyone again. So, we should listen to our inner voice. The most important business is to be kind and good to others because we are here to serve this noble cause. I liked the third answer the most because helping someone in need is like serving God. It makes us a better person and gives a feeling of satisfaction and contentment.
In simple words: The hermit said the best time is now, the most important person is yourself, and the most important thing is to be kind to others. I liked the kindness answer because helping people feels like serving God and brings happiness.

Exam Tip: Always clearly separate each of the hermit's answers and ensure your personal preference is justified with a reason from the text.

Working With Language

Match items in List A with their meanings in List B:

Example: fainted: lost consciousness

Question. Match items in List A with their meanings in List B:
Answer:

Exam Tip: When matching words, consider their context in the story to ensure you pick the most appropriate synonym.

Question. Use any three of the words given above in sentences of your own. You may change the form of the word:
Answer:
(1) We must be faithful and loyal to our country.
(2) I was assigned to water flowerbeds as punishment.
In simple words: Make sentences using three of the words from the list, changing their form if needed.

Exam Tip: Ensure your sentences clearly demonstrate the meaning of the chosen word and are grammatically correct.

Question. Each of the following sentences has two blanks. Fill in the blanks with appropriate forms of the word given in the brackets :
Example:
He has __________ to help me. Do you think he will remember his __________? (promise) He has promised to help me. Do you think he will remember his promise?
1. The __________ said that only fresh evidence would make him change his __________ (judge)
2. I didn't notice any serious __________ of opinion among the debaters, although they __________ from one another over small points. (differ)
3. It's a fairly simple question to __________ but will you accept my __________ as final ?(answer)
4. It isn't __________ that __________ should always be the mother of invention, (necessary)
5. Hermits are __________ men. How they acquire their __________ no one can tell. (wise)
6. The committee has __________ to make Jagdish captain of the team. The __________ is likely to please everyone. (decide)
7. Asking for __________ is as noble as the willingness to __________ (forgive)
Answer:
1. judge, judgement
2. difference, differed
3. answer, answer
4. necessary, necessity
5. wise, wisdom
6. decided, decision
7. forgiveness, forgive
In simple words: You need to put the correct form of the word in brackets into the blank spaces in each sentence.

Exam Tip: Pay close attention to the context of each blank to determine the correct grammatical form (noun, verb, adjective) of the word in brackets.

Speaking And Writing

Question 1. Imagine you are the king. Narrate the incident of your meeting with the hermit. Begin like this: The wise men answered my questions, but I was not satisfied with their answers. One day I decided to go and meet the hermit...
Answer: I knew the hermit helped only ordinary men, so I left behind my horse and the bodyguard. I went to meet him wearing simple clothes. The hermit was an old man and lived in a hut amidst the woods. He was digging the ground in front of his hut when I arrived there. He greeted me and continued his work. I informed him the purpose of my visit, but he still kept digging the ground. He appeared tired, so I offered him my help. He accepted, so I took the spade from him and started digging the ground. After digging for many hours, I again repeated my questions, but the hermit did not answer. Evening was approaching, and now I thought of returning. Suddenly, the hermit showed me a bearded man who was running towards us.
In simple words: As the king, I dressed simply and went alone to see the hermit, leaving my guards. He was old, living in the woods, and digging when I arrived. He greeted me but kept working, even after I told him why I was there. I offered to help him dig when he looked tired. After digging for a while, I asked my questions again, but he didn't answer. As evening came, a bearded man suddenly ran towards us.

Exam Tip: When writing from a character's perspective, ensure your narrative matches their personality, motivations, and the sequence of events.

Question 2. Imagine you are the hermit. Write briefly the incident of your meeting the king. Begin like this: One day I was digging in my garden. A man in ordinary clothes came to see me. I knew it was the king...
Answer: But I still pretended to be unaware of his identity. He told me that he had come to me to find answers for his three questions. I greeted him and continued digging the ground. I was tired digging the ground; the king noticed this and offered his help. I agreed and gave my spade to him. After digging two beds in the ground, the king repeated his questions. I ignored him again and instead asked him if he was tired and would like me to dig the ground! But he refused to do so and continued the task. Evening was approaching, and it seemed that he was ready to leave. At that very moment, we saw a man running towards us.
In simple words: As the hermit, I knew it was the king but acted like I didn't. He wanted answers, so I kept digging. When I got tired, he helped. After two beds, he asked again, but I ignored him and offered to dig more. He refused. As evening came, a man ran towards us.

Exam Tip: When writing from a different character's perspective, accurately capture their internal thoughts and external actions as described in the story.

Writing

Question. Write a paragraph on ‘My Friend’ in about 150 words:
Answer: To have a good friend is a real blessing. However, it is quite difficult in the current busy world to find such a person. A good friend is the most precious gift of life. Somehow, I am quite lucky to have a really good friend. His name is Naveen. We have been friends from childhood and remain good friends till now - and I hope our friendship will continue in the future as well. I really value his friendship. We both are studying in class Seven. Naveen is a well-behaved boy and thus loved by everyone. He is very much liked by my parents. All the teachers like him because he is one of the ideal students in our school. He is very punctual and comes to school on time. He does his homework regularly and studies for fixed hours every day. He is also good at sports. I share all my secrets with him. I know that he will support me at any given time. I thank God for giving me such a good friend like NAVEEN.
In simple words: A good friend is a true gift, hard to find but very valuable. I am lucky to have Naveen, my childhood friend. We are in class seven, and I cherish our bond. Naveen is a polite and punctual student, liked by teachers and my parents. He is good at sports and always supports me, and I'm grateful for him.

Exam Tip: When writing a descriptive paragraph, use vivid language and specific examples to make your friend's qualities stand out.

Select the most appropriate options as answers and complete the following sentences :

Question 1. The king sent messengers throughout his kingdom to -
(a) bring some rare medicines for him.
(b) look for wise men who could answer his questions.
(c) get the solutions to his questions.
(d) know condition of people in his kingdom.
Answer: (b) look for wise men who could answer his questions.
In simple words: The king sent people everywhere in his kingdom to search for clever men who could answer his questions.

Exam Tip: Carefully read each option and choose the one that directly addresses the question and aligns with the story's events.

Question 2. The king promised to reward the person who would answer his questions correctly with -
(a) golden guineas.
(b) jewels.
(c) a huge sum of money.
(d) a large area of land.
Answer: (c) a huge sum of money.
In simple words: The king offered a large amount of money as a prize to anyone who could correctly answer his questions.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to specific details like rewards mentioned in the text to avoid common distractors.

Question 3. The king finally thought of seeking the advice of -
(a) some wise men.
(b) his councillors.
(c) another king.
(d) a hermit.
Answer: (d) a hermit.
In simple words: The king eventually decided to get advice from a hermit.

Exam Tip: Understand the progression of the king's search for answers to identify his final decision.

Question 4. The king dressed like - when he went to meet the hermit,
(a) a poor man
(b) an ordinary man
(c) a rich man
(d) a beggar
Answer: (b) an ordinary man
In simple words: When the king visited the hermit, he wore simple clothes, like a normal person.

Exam Tip: Recall the king's actions to blend in with common folk when visiting the hermit.

Question 5. In fact, the begirded man was the king's -
(a) spy.
(b) friend.
(c) enemy.
(d) soldier.
Answer: (c) enemy.
In simple words: The bearded man was actually the king's enemy.

Exam Tip: Remember the bearded man's confession to identify his true relationship with the king.

Question 6. The king was accompanied by - when he went to meet the hermit. .
(a) his councillors
(b) his personal secretary
(c) no one
(d) his ministers
Answer: (c) no one
In simple words: The king went to meet the hermit by himself, with no one else accompanying him.

Exam Tip: Recall the king's humble approach to ensure you select the correct information about his companions.

Question 7. The bearded man pressed his stomach as -
(a) he had severe stomach ache.
(b) he was wounded in his stomach.
(c) he wanted to stop blood flowing out from his wound,
(d) Both 'B' and 'C'
Answer: (d) Both 'B' and 'C'
In simple words: The bearded man pressed his stomach because he had a wound there and wanted to stop the bleeding.

Exam Tip: Choose the option that provides the most comprehensive explanation based on the events in the story.

Question 8. - was the most important man for the king, according to the hermit.
(a) The king himself
(b) The hermit
(c) The bearded man
(d) The king's councillor
Answer: (b) The hermit
In simple words: The hermit said that he, the hermit, was the most important person for the king.

Exam Tip: Remember the hermit's direct advice about who is most important at the present moment.

Say whether the following sentences are True or False:

Question 1. The king got solutions to his questions from his wise men.
Answer: False
In simple words: The king did not get the answers to his questions from his wise men.

Exam Tip: Recall that the king was unsatisfied with the varied answers from his wise men, indicating this statement is false.

Question 2. The people most necessary to the king were his councillors and priests.
Answer: False
In simple words: It was not his councillors and priests who were most important to the king.

Exam Tip: Remember the hermit's ultimate advice about the "most important person" which contradicted this notion.

Question 3. The king went to the hermit to get answers to his questions.
Answer: True
In simple words: The king visited the hermit to find answers to his questions.

Exam Tip: This is a key event in the story, so remembering the king's journey to the hermit is crucial.

Question 4. The king called the hermit to his palace to get answers to his questions.
Answer: False
In simple words: The king did not ask the hermit to come to his palace to answer his questions.

Exam Tip: Differentiate between the king's initial calls for wise men and his personal visit to the hermit.

Question 5. The hermit gave the answers to the king's questions by giving practical examples.
Answer: True
In simple words: The hermit explained the answers to the king's questions using real-life examples.

Exam Tip: Understand that the hermit's wisdom was conveyed through actions and situations rather than direct statements.

Answer the following questions in two to three sentences each:

Question 1. Why was the king advised to listen to his soldiers?
Answer: Some wise men thought that it was soldiers who fought wars for the king and helped him extend his territory and power. So, they thought the soldiers were the right people to whom he should listen to.
In simple words: Some wise men advised the king to listen to his soldiers because they fought for him and helped him gain more land and strength.

Exam Tip: When explaining advice, connect the suggested action (listening to soldiers) directly to the perceived benefit (extending power).

Question 2. Why did the king refuse to give reward to anyone?
Answer: The king was not satisfied with the answers of the wise men. They all had given different answers to the same questions, because of which he was unable to come to a conclusion. So he refused to give the reward to anyone.
In simple words: The king did not give a reward because he was unhappy with the wise men's answers, as they were all different, and he couldn't decide.

Exam Tip: State the king's dissatisfaction and the reason for it (lack of clear conclusion) as key parts of your answer.

Question 3. Why did the king change his clothes and leave behind his bodyguard and horse before meeting the hermit?
Answer: The king was aware that the hermit would meet only simple people. So, he dressed up like an ordinary man, left behind his horse and bodyguard, and went to meet the hermit in his hut in the woods all alone.
In simple words: The king changed into simple clothes and went alone, leaving his guards and horse, because the hermit only met ordinary people.

Exam Tip: Emphasize the king's understanding of the hermit's nature and his humble approach as the main reason.

Question 4. Describe the hermit In one or two sentences.
Answer: The hermit was a weak, old man who lived amidst the woods, which he would never leave. He was digging the ground in front of his hut for sowing seeds when the king arrived, and the difficult task had made him tired.
In simple words: The hermit was a weak, old man who lived in the forest and was tired from digging when the king found him.

Exam Tip: Include details about the hermit's physical state, dwelling, and activity to give a complete picture.

Question 5. “Here comes someone running.” Who has been referred to In this sentence?
Answer: The bearded man is being referred to in these lines. He had planned to attack the king, but was instead attacked by the king's bodyguard, as he had recognised the bearded man. The man had received a wound in his stomach. He was rushing towards the hermit's hut for help.
In simple words: This sentence refers to the bearded man. He intended to attack the king, but the king's bodyguard recognized and wounded him, so he was running for help.

Exam Tip: Identify the character, explain their original intent, and describe the circumstances that led to them running for help.

Answer the following questions In four to five sentences each:

Question 1. What were the replies the king received for his first question?
Answer: In reply to his first question, the king was advised by some men to follow a timetable. Some people felt that it was impossible to decide the right time in advance. The king was suggested to keep track of all the happenings around him, avoid indulging in too much pleasure, and do everything that seemed important at any particular time. Along with this, he should have a team of clever people to guide him to the right thing at the right time.
In simple words: For his first question, some advised the king to use a timetable. Others said it's impossible to know the right time beforehand, suggesting he observe events, avoid distractions, and act when needed. Some also thought he needed wise advisors for timing.

Exam Tip: When summarizing different replies, group similar ideas or present distinct viewpoints clearly and systematically.

Question 2. Describe the king In your own words.
Answer: The king wanted to be a good ruler. He was seeking answers for the three questions which he believed would help him in his mission. The king was kind-hearted. When he found the old man tired of digging the ground, he offered him his help. He kept on bandaging the bearded man's wound until blood stopped coming out from it. He was down to earth; he dressed up like a common man and spent the night sleeping on the floor at the hermit's hut.
In simple words: The king desired to be an excellent ruler and sought answers to three important questions. He was kind, offering help to the tired hermit and caring for the wounded man. He was humble, dressing as an ordinary person and sleeping on the floor in the hermit's hut.

Exam Tip: Use descriptive adjectives and concrete examples from the story to illustrate the king's character traits.

Question 3. Describe the bearded man in your own words.
Answer: The bearded man was courageous. He wanted to avenge his brother's death by killing the king. He lacked patience because when the king didn't return by evening, he became anxious and left his hiding place. He was thankful and grateful for the king's act. He repented for his act and asked for forgiveness. He returned the favour by promising that he will remain a most faithful servant of the king and will also order his sons to be so.
In simple words: The bearded man was brave but lacked patience in his revenge plan against the king. After the king saved him, he felt thankful, truly sorry, and promised to be a loyal servant with his sons.

Exam Tip: Include both negative (e.g., revengeful, impatient) and positive (e.g., thankful, repentant, faithful) aspects of the character to give a balanced description.

Question 4. The king had done right things at the right time. Explain giving three examples.
Answer: The king understood the hermit's nature of meeting only ordinary men. So, he gave up his king's attire, left behind his bodyguard and the horse, and went alone to meet him. He offered the hermit his help in digging the ground. He did this till evening. This action helped him avoid the attack planned by the bearded man. He helped the bearded man by bandaging his wound and offered him water. He saved his life. This helped him make peace with his enemy.
In simple words: The king did the right things at the right time. First, by dressing simply and going alone to the hermit, he avoided the bearded man's attack. Second, by helping the hermit dig, he was present to discover the wounded man. Third, by bandaging the wounded man and saving his life, he gained a loyal friend instead of an enemy, making peace.

Exam Tip: Clearly state each example and explain how it demonstrates the king acting correctly at the right moment, linking the action to its positive outcome.

Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions given below them:

Question 1.
In reply to the first question, some said the king must prepare a timetable, and then follow it strictly. Only in this way, they said, could he do everything at its proper time. Others said that it was impossible to decide in advance the right time for doing something. The king should notice all that was going on, avoid foolish pleasures, and always do whatever seemed necessary at that time. Yet others said that the king needed a council of wise men who would help him act at the proper time. This was because one man would find it impossible to decide correctly, without help from others, the right time for every action.

Questions:

(1) What, according to some, should the king prepare to do things at the proper time?
Answer: According to some, the king should prepare a timetable and follow it strictly to do things at the correct time.
In simple words: Some people believed the king should make a schedule and stick to it carefully to do things at the right time.

Exam Tip: When answering based on a passage, extract the information directly and avoid adding external details.

(2) What is the king advised to do after noticing the happenings around?
Answer: After observing the events around him, the king should avoid foolish pleasures and always do whatever seemed necessary at that specific time.
In simple words: After seeing what is happening, the king should avoid silly fun and always do what is needed at that moment.

Exam Tip: Ensure your answer reflects both parts of the advice: avoiding distractions and acting decisively when needed.

(3) 'One man would find it impossible to decide correctly.' In this case what should the king do?
Answer: 'One man would find it impossible to decide correctly.' In this case, the king should call a council of wise men who would help him act at the correct time.
In simple words: If one person can't decide correctly, the king should gather a group of wise men to help him choose the right moment to act.

Exam Tip: Connect the problem (one man's difficulty) directly to the proposed solution (a council of wise men).

(4) Pick out the words from the passage with these meanings:
(a) a group of selected people
(b) beforehand
Answer:
(a) council
(b) in advance
In simple words: 'Council' means a group of chosen people, and 'in advance' means beforehand.

Exam Tip: Read the passage carefully to identify synonyms that match the given definitions exactly.

Question 2. When the king had dug two beds, he stopped and repeated his questions. The hermit gave no answer, but stood up, stretching; out his hand for the spade, and said, “Now you rest, and let me work." But the king did not give him the spade and continued to dig. One hour passed, then another. The sun went down behind the trees, and at last their king stuck the spade into the ground and said, "I came to you, wise man, for an answer to my questions. If you can give me no answer, tell me so and I will return home.”

Questions:

(1) How can you say that the king had been impatient to know the answers to his questions?
Answer: Without waiting a little longer to get the answers to his questions, the king stopped digging twice and harshly demanded answers from the hermit. This shows that the king had been impatient.
In simple words: The king was impatient because he stopped digging and demanded answers from the hermit twice without waiting longer.

Exam Tip: Cite specific actions from the passage (stopping twice, demanding harshly) to support your claim about the king's impatience.

(2) Did the hermit answer the king's questions? What did he do then?
Answer: No, the hermit did not answer the king's questions. Instead, he demanded the spade from the king to continue the digging work.
In simple words: No, the hermit didn't answer. Instead, he asked for the spade to keep digging.

Exam Tip: Provide a direct answer to the first part and then explain the hermit's subsequent action clearly.

(3) Pick out the sentence that reveals the king's irritation.
Answer: "If you can give me no answer, tell me so and I will return home." This sentence from the king shows his irritation.
In simple words: The sentence, "If you can give me no answer, tell me so and I will return home," shows the king was annoyed.

Exam Tip: Quote the exact sentence from the passage to support your answer when asked to "pick out" a specific phrase.

(4) Pick out similar expressions from the passage:
(a) went on
(b) fixed
Answer:
(a) continued
(b) stuck
In simple words: 'Went on' is like 'continued', and 'fixed' is similar to 'stuck' in this text.

Exam Tip: Identify synonyms or phrases within the passage that convey the same meaning as the given words.

Question 3. "You do not know me, but I know you. I am that enemy of yours who swore revenge on you because you put my brother to death and seized my property. I knew you - had gone alone to see that hermit, and I made up my mind to kill you on your way home. But the day passed and you did not return. So I left my hiding-place, and I came upon your bodyguard, who recognised me and wounded me. I escaped from him but I should have died if you had not dressed my wounds. I wished to kill you, and you have ' saved my life. Now, if I live, I will serve you as your most faithful servant and will order ' my sons to do the same. Forgive me !”

Questions:
(1) Why did the person unknown to the king want to take revenge on him?
Answer: The person unknown to the king wanted to get revenge on him because the king had killed his brother and taken his property.
In simple words: The man wanted revenge because the king had killed his brother and taken his land.

Exam Tip: When answering questions about motivations, always clearly state the character's reason based on the text.

(2) Why could the unknown man not put his plan into practice?
Answer: The unknown person could not carry out his plan because the king did not come back the same day as he had thought.
In simple words: His plan failed because the king did not return home when he expected him to.

Exam Tip: Focus on the specific events in the passage that prevented the character from achieving their goal.

(3) Why did the unknown man decide to serve the king?
Answer: The unknown man chose to help the king because the king rescued his life by treating his injuries.
In simple words: The man decided to serve the king because the king saved his life by taking care of his wounds.

Exam Tip: Identify the turning point in the character's attitude and the action that caused it.

(4) Pick out similar expressions from the passage:
(a) took oath
(b) met somebody by chance
Answer:
(a) swore
(b) came upon
In simple words: To "take an oath" means to "swear," and to "meet by chance" means to "come upon" someone unexpectedly.

Exam Tip: For vocabulary questions, read the surrounding sentences in the passage to confirm the context and meaning of the chosen words.

Vocabulary

Replace the underlined words selecting the most appropriate options from the brackets :

Question 1. (1) She can't go out to work because she has to stay at home to care for her elderly mother, (to treat, to take care of to monitor)
Answer: (1) She cannot leave for work because she needs to remain home to look after her older mother.
In simple words: She cannot work outside because she must stay home to care for her old mother.

Exam Tip: Choose the option that best fits the meaning of the underlined phrase within the sentence's context.

Question 2. (2) The two boys came upon a man claiming to have magical beans for sale. (met by chance, arrived, reached)
Answer: (2) The two boys happened to meet a man who was saying he had magical beans for sale.
In simple words: The boys met a man unexpectedly who claimed to have magic beans to sell.

Exam Tip: Understand the nuances of synonyms; "came upon" implies an unexpected encounter, which "met by chance" captures well.

Question 3. (3) After years of not speaking, Ranu finally made peace with her sister. (talked with, fought with, reconciled with)
Answer: (3) After many years of not talking, Ranu finally made up with her sister.
In simple words: After a long silence, Ranu and her sister became friends again.

Exam Tip: Recognize idioms and phrases; "made peace with" is an idiom meaning to reconcile.

Question 4. (4) The child asked for a glass of water. (examined, demanded, forgot)
Answer: (4) The child requested a glass of water forcefully.
In simple words: The child strongly asked for a glass of water.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to the tone implied by the verb; "demanded" suggests a strong, insistent request.

Question 5. (5) We're looking into the possibility of merging the two departments. (searching for, examining, watching)
Answer: (5) We are investigating the chance of combining the two sections.
In simple words: We are checking if it is possible to join the two departments together.

Exam Tip: "Looking into" often implies a detailed investigation or examination, which "examining" best represents.

Choose the correct words from the brackets and complete the following passage:

Question 1. (left, simple, bodyguard, wood, ordinary, reached) The hermit lived in a ............ which he never left. He saw no one but ............ people, and so the king put on ............ clothes. Before he ............ the hermit's hut the king his horse with his ............ and went on alone.
Answer: The hermit lived in a wood which he never left. He only met common people, so the king put on plain clothes. Before he got to the hermit's hut, the king left his horse with his guard and went ahead by himself.
In simple words: The hermit lived in the forest and only met common people. So, the king wore simple clothes and left his horse and guard before going to the hermit's hut alone.

Exam Tip: When completing a passage, read the entire sentence and even the surrounding sentences to ensure the chosen word makes sense contextually and grammatically.

Question 2. (return, stuck, wise, another, ground, questions) One hour passed, then ............ The sun went down behind the trees, and at last the king ............ the spade into the ............ and said, “I came to you, ............ man, for an answer to my ............ If you can give me no answer, tell me so and I will ............ home."
Answer: One hour passed, then another. The sun went down behind the trees, and at last the king stuck the spade into the ground and said, “I came to you, wise man, for an answer to my questions. If you can give me no answer, tell me so and I will return home.”
In simple words: The time passed, and the king put his spade into the dirt. He told the wise man he was there for answers and asked him to say if he could not help, so he could go back home.

Exam Tip: For fill-in-the-blanks, always consider the flow of the narrative and the type of word (noun, verb, adjective) that fits each gap.

Grammar

Choose the correct Article(s), Conjunction(s) and Preposition(s) and complete the following passage:

Question 1. The king turned round ............ saw a bearded man running ............ them. His hands were pressed ............ his stomach, from ............ blood was flowing ............ he reached the king he fainted and fell to ............ ground.
Answer: The king turned around and saw a man with a beard running toward them. His hands were pressed against his belly, from which blood was coming out. When he got to the king, he collapsed and dropped to the earth.
In simple words: The king turned, saw a bearded man running, whose hands were pressed against his stomach where blood was flowing. He fainted and fell to the ground when he reached the king.

Exam Tip: Read the passage aloud to check if your chosen articles, conjunctions, and prepositions sound natural and grammatically correct.

Question 2. Leaving ............ wounded man, the king went out ............ the hut and looked around ............ the hermit going away he wished once more to get answers to his questions. The hermit was ............ his knees sowing seeds in the beds that had been dugs the day.
Answer: After leaving the injured man, the king exited the hut and searched for the hermit. Before leaving, he again wanted to get replies to his questions. The hermit was on his knees planting seeds in the plots that had been prepared the previous day.
In simple words: The king left the injured man, went out of the hut, and looked for the hermit to ask his questions again. He found the hermit planting seeds in the beds he had dug earlier.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to cause-and-effect relationships and temporal sequences to select the most appropriate linking words.

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate forms of verbs given in the brackets and complete the texts:

Question 1. The hermit ............ (listen) to the king, but ............ (not + speak). He went on ............ (dig). “You are tired,” said the king.
Answer:
1. listened
2. did not speak
3. digging
In simple words: The hermit heard the king but did not talk, just kept digging. The king told him he looked tired.

Exam Tip: Make sure the verb forms (past tense, present participle) correctly match the sentence's tense and structure.

Question 2. As the answers to his questions ............ (be) so different, the king was not ............ (satisfy) and gave no reward. Instead, he ............ (decide) to seek the advice of a certain hermit.
Answer:
1. were
2. satisfied
3. decided
In simple words: Because the replies to his questions were so varied, the king was not pleased and offered no prize. Instead, he chose to ask a particular hermit for advice.

Exam Tip: For verb forms, consider if the action is singular/plural, past/present, and active/passive.

Change the voice of the following :

Question 1. (1) They all answered the questions differently.
Answer: (1) The questions were replied to in various ways by all of them.
In simple words: Everyone answered the questions in different ways.

Exam Tip: To change to passive voice, make the object of the active sentence the subject, use a form of "to be" + past participle, and indicate the original subject with "by" (optional).

Question 2. (2) He saw no one but simple people.
Answer: (2) Only common people were observed by him.
In simple words: He only saw ordinary people, not anyone else.

Exam Tip: When the active sentence has "no one but X", the passive can start with "Only X".

Question 3. (3) The hermit listened to the king.
Answer: (3) The king was heard by the hermit.
In simple words: The hermit paid attention to the king.

Exam Tip: Some verbs take a preposition (e.g., "listen to"); ensure the preposition is retained in the passive voice.

Question 4. (4) Do you not see it?
Answer: (4) Is it not viewed by you?
In simple words: Is it not noticed by you?

Exam Tip: For interrogative sentences, convert to passive voice while maintaining the question structure.

Question 5. (5) You do not know me.
Answer: (5) I am not familiar to you.
In simple words: You are not acquainted with me.

Exam Tip: Note that "known" often takes "to" in passive constructions when referring to familiarity, rather than "by" (though "by" is not strictly incorrect).

Turn the following dialogue into Indirect Speech:

Question 1. "You are tired," said the king. Let me take the spade and work in your place.” “Thanks,” said the hermit.
Answer: The king informed the hermit that he felt fatigued. He then suggested that he could take the shovel and do the work instead. The hermit expressed gratitude to the king for his generous offer.
In simple words: The king told the hermit he was tired and offered to dig for him. The hermit thanked him for his kind proposal.

Exam Tip: Remember to change pronouns, tenses, and time/place expressions when converting to indirect speech, and remove quotation marks.

Question 2. "Forgive me !" said the bearded man. “I do not know you and have nothing to forgive you for," said the king. "You do not know me, but I know you."
Answer: The bearded man begged the king for forgiveness. The king replied that he did not recognize him and had no reason to pardon him. The bearded man stated that the king did not know him, but he knew the king.
In simple words: The bearded man asked for pardon. The king said he did not know him and had nothing to forgive. The bearded man then insisted he knew the king, even if the king did not know him.

Exam Tip: Use appropriate reporting verbs (pleaded, begged, replied, stated) to convey the speaker's tone accurately in indirect speech.

Rewrite as directed :

Question 1. (1) He would never fail. (Turn into Affirmative.)
Answer: (1) He would always triumph.
In simple words: He would always succeed in everything.

Exam Tip: Affirmative sentences state a fact or positive assertion; negative sentences use words like "not" or "never."

Question 2. (2) It was impossible to decide. (Turn into Negative.)
Answer: (2) It was not feasible to choose.
In simple words: It was not possible to make a decision.

Exam Tip: Converting an affirmative to negative often involves adding "not" or using an antonym.

Question 3. (3) There were some things which could be urgent. (Turn into Simple.)
Answer: (3) Some pressing matters might exist.
In simple words: Some urgent things could happen.

Exam Tip: A simple sentence contains only one independent clause.

Question 4. (4) The hermit listened to the king but did not speak. (Use 'Though'.)
Answer: (4) Even though the hermit heard the king, he remained silent.
In simple words: Though the hermit listened, he did not say anything.

Exam Tip: 'Though' introduces a subordinate clause showing a contrast or concession.

Question 5. (5) The king did not give him the spade and continued to work. (Remove 'and'.)
Answer: (5) Without handing him the shovel, the king kept working.
In simple words: The king did not give him the spade and just kept working.

Exam Tip: Removing "and" often requires restructuring the sentence, possibly using a participial phrase.

Question 6. (6) The king and the hermit removed the man's clothing. (Use 'Both'.)
Answer: (6) Both the king and the hermit took off the man's garments.
In simple words: The king and the hermit both removed the man's clothes.

Exam Tip: "Both...and..." emphasizes that two subjects perform the same action.

Question 7. (7) The king washed and covered the wound with his handkerchief. (Use 'Not only ... but also.)
Answer: (7) The king not only cleaned but also dressed the injury with his scarf.
In simple words: The king not only washed the wound but also covered it with his handkerchief.

Exam Tip: "Not only... but also" connects two parallel ideas, emphasizing both.

Three Questions Summary in English

Three Questions Summary:

The idea occurred to a particular king that he would always succeed if he understood three things. These three matters were: What is the correct moment to start something? Who are the most important individuals nearby? What is the most crucial action for him to perform? Many learned individuals tried to respond to the king's inquiries, but they all offered varied answers. The king concluded that he needed to consult a wise recluse in a nearby village.

The recluse only met ordinary people. So, the king put on simple attire and left his guards behind before meeting the recluse. The hermit was digging flower beds when the king arrived. The king presented his inquiries, but the hermit continued digging with considerable effort. The king offered to dig for him for a short period. After digging for some time, the king once more repeated his inquiries.

Instead of providing the answers, the hermit directed the king's attention to a man rushing towards them. The man was bleeding from a severe stomach injury. The king attended to him, and they spent the night in the hermit's dwelling. The king slept so soundly that the following morning he could not even identify the bearded man. To the king's astonishment, the bearded man requested the king to pardon him.

He admitted that he recognized the king's identity, and that the king had executed his brother and confiscated his possessions. He explained that he had intended to assassinate the king, but the king's guards had wounded him in the abdomen. The man promised loyalty to the king, and he departed. The king again asked the hermit for his replies, and the hermit responded that he had already received his answers.

7th Std English Questions And Answers: